Abstract
The paper discusses insect activity, especially take-off activity in locusts, in relation to weather disturbances. A hypothesis is presented suggesting that atmospheric electromagnetic radiation in the VLF range acts as a take-off stimulus in locusts. A method of recording the spontaneous take-off rate in locusts is described, and two observation series onSchistocerca gregaria are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
ADEY, W. R. (1978): Experiment and theory in long range interactions of electromagnetic fields at brain cell surfaces. Proceedings of the Biomagnetic Workshop. April 6–7 1978, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory: 53–78.
ALTMANN, G. (1969): Die physiologische Wirkung elektrischer Felder auf Organismen. Arch. Met. Geoph. Biokl. B, 17: 269–290.
BERGH, J. E. (1978): Conceivable effects by atmospheric electricity on insect activity with description of a method of recording spontaneous flight activity in large insects. Norw. J. Ent., 25: 112–114.
CLARK, D. P. (1969): Night flights of the Australian plague locustChortoicetes terminifera Walk. in relation to storms. Aust. J. Zool., 17: 329–352.
EDWARDS, D. K. (1960): Effects of artificially produced atmospheric electrical fields upon the activity of some adult Diptera. Canad. J. Zool., 38: 899–912.
FARROW, R. A. (1975): Offshore migration and the collapse of outbreaks of the Australian plague locust (Chortoicetes terminifera Walk.) in southeast Australia. Aust. J. Zool., 23: 569–595.
FLITTERS, N. E. (1963): Observations on the effect of hurrican “Carla” on insect activity. Int. J. Biometeor., 6: 85–90.
HELSON, G. A. H. and PENMAN, J. E. R. (1970): Biological transformations associated with weather changes. An hypothesis on the flight activity ofWiseana spp. Int. J. Biometeor., 14: 227–246.
KÖNIG, H. L. (1977): Unsichtbare Umwelt. Eigenverlag Herbert L. König, München.
LUDWIG, W. and MECKE, R. (1968): Wirkung künstlischer Atmospherics auf Säuger. Arch. Met. Geoph. Biokl. B, 16: 251–261.
RAINEY, R. C. (1951): Weather and the movement of locust swarms: A new hypothesis. Nature (Lond), 168: 1057–1060.
RAINEY, R. C. and ASPLIDEN, C. J. H. (1963): Meteorology and the Migration of Desert Locusts. Wld. Meteor. Org., Geneva, Technical Note No.54, WMO-No. 138, 117 pp.
RAMCHANDRA RAO, Y. (1942): Some results of studies on the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria, Forsk.) in India. Bull. Ent. Res., 33: 241–265.
REITER, R. (1960): Meteorobiologie und Elektrizität der Atmosphäre. Akad. Verlagsgesellschaft, Leipzig.
SCHUÀ, L. (1952): Untersuchungen über den Einfluss meteorologischer Elemente auf das Verhalten der Honigbienen (Apis mellifica). Z. vergl. Physiol., 34: 258–277.
UNGETHÜM, E., ISRAELSSON, S. and KNUDSEN, E. (1974): Der Zusammenhang zwischen VLF-Pegel und Bodendruck in Uppsala-Mittelschweden. Z. Meteor., 24: 92–101.
WARNKE, U. (1973): Physikalisch-physiologische Grundlagen zur luftelektrisch bedingten “Wetterfühligkeit” der Honigbiene (Apis mellifica). Dissertation, Univ. of Saarlandes, Saarbrücken.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bergh, J.E. Electromagnetic activity in the VLF range and take-off by locusts. Int J Biometeorol 23, 195–204 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01553771
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01553771